Title: The Forever Girl
Author: Jill Shalvis
Publication: January 12, 2021
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Pages: 400
SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)
When Maze returns to Wildstone for the wedding of her estranged bff and the sister of her heart, it’s also a reunion of a once ragtag team of teenagers who had only each other until a tragedy tore them apart and scattered them wide.
Now as adults together again in the lake house, there are secrets and resentments mixed up in all the amazing childhood memories. Unexpectedly, they instantly fall back into their roles: Maze their reckless leader, Cat the den mother, Heather the beloved baby sister, and Walker, a man of mystery.
Life has changed all four of them in immeasurable ways. Maze and Cat must decide if they can rebuild their friendship, and Maze discovers her long-held attraction to Walker hasn’t faded with the years but has only grown stronger.
REVIEW:
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Like every time I receive an email from Harper Collins that asks me to review the newest Jill Shalvis book. I squeal with delight and do a little happy dance in place. She is my top top top top romance author that I read (Did I say top). I have read most of her books and what I haven’t read I have them on my shelves in my to-be-read stacks. She is my go-to feel-good authors when I am having a down day. I wanted to immediately read it when I got the book in the mail in mid-December but had to wait a little bit before I read it so I wouldn’t be super early on writing my review. I couldn’t wait to read it!
Maze went into foster care when she was a teenager. Her mother was a drunk and the boyfriends tried to take advantage of Maze. Cat was the family that Maze was placed in. Heather and Walker were also placed with Cat’s family. That is exactly what they became even after they were sent their separate ways after a family tragedy with Cat. Years down the road, they lost touch and regained a few times. However, Cat is getting married and wanted them with her to help with wedding preparations. Maze and Walker have a past with each other and this comes to a head during that week. Jill Shalvis has once again knocked it out of the park with another book. I really like the Wildstone series. I like how they are really not connected in any way, at least that I remember. They all take place in one little laid back coastal town. I absolutely devoured this book. I think I binged read the last 200 pages and stayed up till almost 12am trying to finish it because I just didn’t want to stop I needed to find out what happened. I needed to know if Cat went through with her wedding and it things finally happened between Walker and Maze. ***spoiler…all my hopes came true***
I truly fell in love with all of these characters. I loved Maze for how she powered through her issues. Believe me, she had them. I was proud of Cat for finding her own voice and not giving up her dreams for someone else’s. Heather took what life threw at her and made the best of it. Walker was silent and observant, everywhere he needed to be when he needed to be. This family albeit an adopted family was family none the less. They supported each other. They had their own issues but they worked through them with each other. They supported each other through it all. Just like a family should do.
I cannot wait to see what else Wildstone has in store for these characters. Hopefully, we see more from them as in the very end they purchased a bar that was for sale and was going to run it together as a family. I hope that I receive my email from Harper Collins for her next book! I will wait with bated breath.
STAR RATING: 5/5
Pick up your copy of The Forever Girl by Jill Shalvis at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or at your local bookstore. Also make sure to add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads and leave feedback for the author when you are finished. You can check out more from Jill Shalvis on her website HERE.